Page 22 - Security Today, April 2020

sponse times, improving the accuracy of incident descriptions, expediting the evidence-gathering process and acting as a deter- rence to any would-be criminals. It also had the added benefit of allowing the local businesses that signed up to the program to thrive. At its inception, the project was only active in a few locations that were identified as crime hotspots, most of which were at gas stations. Now, there are now hundreds of different greenlight locations in central Detroit. At this scale, the power of communication between different organizations, and its effect on crime, becomes a far more tangible prospect.
Safe Cities are Cities that Flow
Livability is also absolutely essential to life in a city. Key compo- nents of what makes a city livable include design, infrastructure, and public safety. When these elements successfully converge, the population of a city is able to move about freely, creating positive and efficient flow. Maneuverability throughout a city informs our decisions, from which route to take to work to what roads local governments decide to build. It informs the design of safe spaces, both public and private, to ensure that a city’s circulation doesn’t stop at the exit of a subway or the entrance of a 70-story office tower. The need to circulate unhindered prompts questions about how we can move more efficiently and enjoyably, as well as more safely and securely, about our cities.
Take city traffic, for example. Video surveillance cameras, au- tomatic license plate recognition and analytics can work together to improve traffic. Law enforcement can identify incidents quick- er, allowing them to respond and clear the roadways faster.
When situations arise, police and local organizations can use technology to communicate detours, resulting in better traffic flow and happier citizens. These solutions can even work with transit providers like subways or buses and can be configured to notify riders in real time which route to choose based on traffic conditions ahead.
Cities that have Incorporated Technology to Improve Livability and Safety
Urban centers around the world have been incorporating tech- nology to improve livability and keep people and businesses safe and running smoothly. Notable examples include Tokyo, Bris- bane, London and New York City.
Tokyo has been called the world’s safest city. City leaders have invested heavily in a public safety infrastructure that protects its citizens. From tactile paving in the streets and walkways that are designed to help the visually impaired navigate the city safely, to well-lit roadways, side streets and alleys, Tokyo has worked to improve safety and livability. Police officers are abundant throughout the city and are stationed in more than 1,200 small huts ready to be called upon in a moment’s notice. These efforts – coupled with traditional security components like video and access control – combine to improve city life and keep things run- ning smoothly.
Brisbane in Queensland, Australia, has big ambitions. Afford- able, safe, and easy to get around, Brisbane is focused on deliver- ing a good quality of life to its growing population that looks to double in the next 40 years. Huge infrastructure investments and partnerships with commercial entities are helping the city provide security and improve circulation.
The Queen Street Mall in Brisbane’s central business district is
the largest and busiest area for pedestrians in the city. It also hap- pens to be one of the most safety-focused areas. Together, shop owners and Brisbane City Council have created CitySafe, a net- work of 100 CCTV cameras that monitor activity to ensure a safe and successful mall. Pedestrians that travel along Queen Street – one of the city’s busiest areas – are safer and move about more freely as a result of the increased security. Because the camera net- work has helped them see where improvements can be made, the city council has also invested in improving roads, adding new bike paths, and creating green space to increase efficiency and livability.
London is known for its extensive video surveillance camera network. It includes more than 500,000 units. Obviously, video provides a great deal of information to combat crime and provide assistance in investigations which is helpful in city operations. In addition to video, London is also using another key element to help improve maneuverability: public transportation data. To get around London, travelers use a Transport for London Oyster smartcard to pay for journeys on a bus, Tube, tram, rail and other services.
City managers use Oyster card travel data to monitor where delays are and then notify the cardholder in real time of better route options. This data not only provides information on how Oyster card users typically move, but also allows for an interven- tion that can instantly improve the travel experience.
Nestled within New York City is Hudson Yards. Located on Manhattan’s “new” West side, Hudson Yards is the largest-ever private real estate development in the United States. Its designer, urban planner Anthony Fioravanti, believes it’s all about flow. Fioravanti says flow of people is crucial to the success of projects like Hudson Yards because “nobody ever enjoyed the time they got stuck in traffic.” It’s also important economically since people who can intuitively circulate will enjoy themselves and are more likely to return.
Incorporating technology into city projects that facilitate way- finding operates like a “giant smartphone” for residents. This not only enhances flow but improves safety because a confused cus- tomer is not a customer who feels safe.
The Bottom Line
In order to ensure that urban centers around the world can safely and securely manage the increasing number of residents while improving livability, it’s essential for community stakeholders, in- cluding those in government, law enforcement and corporations, to leverage advances in public systems. The security of cities also means the removal of impediments to their development.
Cities are expected to be an engine for positive development. While advanced security systems are a cornerstone of city safety, successfully securing a city is determined by how city administra- tors pair these technologies with communication.
Improving communication and collaboration between siloed in- stitutions drives situational awareness and allows cities to better pre- dict, react and resolve situations more effectively. Making changes in the way information and data is transferred
between urban stakeholders can have huge ben- efits on preparedness, public safety and can im- prove the livability of cities around the world.
Bob Carter is the commercial head of Genetec’s City Practice.
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